Cats Defense Has To Stop Rebels QB Masoli

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - It took one game for the Kentucky defenseto turn Florida freshman Trey Burton into a budding superstar. The Wildcats (3-1, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) are hoping tokeep Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli from doing the same onSaturday when they travel to play the Rebels (2-2, 0-1). Kentucky struggled to get a hand on Burton, allowing him toscore a school-record six touchdowns that led to comparisons withformer Florida star Tim Tebow. Coach Joker Phillips blamed his team's inability to slow Burtonon poor tackling. "You tackle with your face and your feet, You don't tackle withyour arms," Phillips said. "That's the thing that some of ourguys are missing, just like catching. A lot of people think youcatch it with your hands. You don't. You catch with your feet andyour eyes first, then your hands." Kentucky failed to catch Burton all too often during adisappointing 48-14 loss to the Gators. Burton simply did whateverhe wanted, outrunning some defenders or easily bouncing off otherson trip after trip to the end zone. It's a problem that needs to be corrected if the Wildcats wantto finally break through into the upper half of the SEC. Phillipsordered the team to return to live tackling drills this week inhopes of providing a refresher course on how to get physical. "You have to tackle through people," Phillips said. "Youcan't reach and grab." The challenge will only get tougher against Masoli, who hasalready run for over 210 yards and two touchdowns this season aftertransferring from Oregon. Burton, for all his speed, is used primarily as a runner by theGators. Masoli is just as talented with his arm. "He's a dangerous guy," said Kentucky defensive coordinatorSteve Brown, who likened Masoli to Michigan quarterback DenardRobinson. There is one major difference, however. Robinson is a speedsterwho can blow by defenders. Masoli is more of a grinder, meaning theWildcats will get their shots to take him down. If they don't,they'll be in serious trouble. "You have to be really disciplined and really focused on whatyou're doing and do your best to shut him down," Brown said. Going against versatile wide receiver Randall Cobb and speedyrunning back Derrick Locke in practice every day has helped get theKentucky defense ready, Brown said, so that they can see anelusive, unpredictable ball carrier up close. Masoli remains wary despite Kentucky's lethargic performanceagainst the Gators. "We watched the Florida game and Florida did a great jobagainst them scheming up some things," he said. "But they playhard, they're a fast bunch and they're going to bring it." Effort, however, wasn't the issue against the Gators. Kentuckyplayers have said repeatedly they're pleased with how hard theyplayed. They're so hot on how effectively they played. "We left it out there, but we know we let some opportunitiesget away from us," said defensive tackle Luke McDermott. "Wecan't have the same kind of mental breakdowns." Not if the Wildcats want to survive October. A week afterplaying the Rebels, Kentucky hosts No. 10 Auburn and bullishquarterback Cam Newton. Yet as poorly as his team looked at times against the Gators,Phillips isn't exactly panicking. Florida has a way of making a lotof teams look slow out and out step. Things can only go up fromhere. "We won't play a team faster than they are," he said. --- AP Sports Writer David Brandt in Oxford, Miss., contributed tothis report

Sunday Wildcat LinksBASKETBALLA Sea of Blue: Issac Humphries joining Kentucky for 2015Wildcat Blue Nation: Karl-Anthony Towns: "It feels good to be home" Herald Leader: Kentucky's international roster part coincidence, part commitment C-J: Four things to know about the 2015-2016 Cats NextCats: Calipari talks about recruiting and possible additions FOOTBALLKSR: Kentucky football is officially now SDS: Several SEC teams finished red-hot July on the recruiting trail photo by Victoria Graff

Saturday Wildcat LinksBASKETBALLCoachCal.com: UK alumni will play UNC alumni in charity game KSR: Building the ultimate UNC alumni team SI.com: How college basketball's top 25 recruits will fit in as freshmen SB Nation: Dan Shulman talks Jamal Murray FOOTBALLWildcat Blue Nation: Rashan Gary interested in Kentucky A Sea of Blue: Building a program WDRB: Stoops says Kentucky improved Cats Illustrated: Recruiting success boosts optimism Herald Leader: Stoops says it's been a good week for Kentucky football C-J: Coach...

Friday Wildcat LinksBASKETBALLBleacher Report: Each projected starter's most concerning flaw Wildcat Blue Nation: Wildcats feature two of top three players in college basketball CoachCal.com: Three Wildcats named top 50 players in country NextCats: Bolden sets first official visit FOOTBALLFox Sports: Kentucky completes 2016's slate by scheduling New Mexico StHerald Leader: Commitment by top 2018 recruit could energize Kentucky's future A Sea of Blue: College football top 25 preseason coaches poll released Vaught...

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.